Work Environment — Nordic Labour Journal

Free workplace language training in Denmark

(May 10, 2011) All foreigners with permanent residency in Denmark are entitled to Danish language lessons. Many language courses are held in the workplace, and businesses see the benefits of in-house language training.

Staffing agencies challenging the Nordic model

(Apr 07, 2011) From time to time 'The Great Debate" over the role of staffing agencies rolls out in the Nordic countries, despite the fact they provide a only a small percentage of the workforce.

Black market cleaning a major problem for Norway's cleaning industry

(Apr 07, 2011) Are staffing agencies just one step on the road towards an even more flexible labour marked, where those performing services become their own employers? NHO Service, the employers' organisation for Norway's cleaning industry, is sounding the alarm over an increase in cleaning businesses from 2,000 to 6,500 over just a few years.

EU directive on temporary agency work could reduce social dumping

(Apr 07, 2011) Trade unions believe the EU directive on temporary agency work will see fewer staffing agencies pushing down salaries and working conditions.

Unique collective agreement for Sweden's staffing agencies

(Apr 07, 2011) Staffing agencies in Sweden are experiencing a boom. In the last quarter of 2010 turnovers were up 42 percent on 2009 figures. Staffing agencies do however provoke conflicting feelings and staffing was one of the key themes during the latest collective bargaining process.

We're not always happiest out in the open

(Apr 07, 2011) To fulfil the promises of a better working life where people want to work for longer, we need new ways of reorganise the way we work - physically. Nordic Labour Journal has visited two workplaces in Finland where the new office space is already a reality.

Fatal accidents in Nordic workplaces nearly exclusively involve men

(Apr 07, 2011) Men in the Nordic region are involved in fatal accidents at work far more often than women. 1,157 men died in work accidents between 2003 and 2008, compared to only 85 women.

Challenge to Finland's health sector "not due to lack of resources”

(Mar 07, 2011) Finland's health and social care sector is facing major challenges. But this is not about a lack of resources. Systems and processes need an overhaul to allow doctors and nurses to work with what they have been trained for: to take care of people, Finland's Minister of Social Affairs and Health Juha Rehula tells Nordic Labour Journal.

Editorial: The need to limit working life without boundaries

(Feb 11, 2011) Mixing work and free time can have unwanted consequences. Nordic Labour Journal puts the spotlight on our portable working hours. How will we deal with the grey zone between work and free time?

Work without boundaries can severely increase number of burnouts

(Feb 11, 2011) The borderline between work and leisure time is becoming fuzzy. It's getting increasingly difficult to achieve the old dream of eight hours' work, eight hours' off and eight hours' sleep when the smartphone wants your attention, colleagues work in other timezones and you need to work a night shift to get through your inbox.